Gilas scalps Aces in OT, remains undefeated in PBA Commissioner's Cup

Smart Gilas Pilipinas scored the first six points in overtime to outlast Alaska, 91-89, and stay unbeaten in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum. Towering Marcus Douthit remained an intimidating presence for Gilas inside, accounting for five of the team’s seven points in the extra period, including a breakaway, two-handed slam dunk that capped a 6-0 run and put the Nationals on top for good, 90-84. The 7-foot American, a candidate for naturalization, had a 47-minute stint on the floor and finished with 23 points and 19 big rebounds. Fresh from beating reigning all-Filipino champion Talk 'N Text, the national team won its second straight game, against a ball club considered as the most systematic team in the PBA today. By inflicting the Aces their first loss in the tournament, Smart Gilas now shares the early lead with Rain or Shine. "It's still a long tournament, so we can't be complacent," said national team captain Chris Tiu, who had 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in another all-around performance. "It's a good confidence builder for us, but we can't let our guard down." Douthit was 3-for-10 from the foul line, but made three of his last four attempts, including a split in the final 15.4 seconds of overtime that sealed the deal for the Nationals, 91-86. Alaska sent the game into overtime by pouring six of the game's last seven points in the final minute of regulation, wiping away a five-point deficit to tie the count at 84-all on a strong drive to the hoop by L.A. Tenorio. The Nationals had 2.4 seconds left to make a game-winning play, but Douthit's short jumper just hit the front rim as the buzzer sounded. Tenorio led the Aces with 22 points, while import L.D. Williams added 12, including a rim-rattling one-handed slam dunk early in the fourth that sparked Alaska's comeback from a 55-67 deficit. The Aces still trailed, 78-83, after Douthit made his first two free throws for the night, when a soft follow-up of Sonny Thoss' jumper ignited that telling endgame Alaska run in regulation. But Alaska went silent in the first three minutes of the extra period, leading to a six-point cluster by the Nationals, capped by Douthit's back-to-back baskets. - JVP, GMA KY, News